Juno Films has acquired the exclusive U.S. distribution rights for “La Scala: The Force of Destiny,” a new documentary by director Anissa Bonnefont. Following the acquisition on Jan. 12, 2026, the distributor set up the film for its U.S. premiere on March 27, 2026, at the Quad Cinema in New York City, followed by a West Coast premiere on March {…}
Arte.TV is set to present Ponchielli’s “La Gioconda” from the Teatro San Carlo. The historical production by Romain Gilbert was recorded in 2024 and features three of operas biggest stars, Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, and Ludovic Tézier. The cast also includes Eve-Maud Hubeaux, Alexander Köpeczi, and Kseniia Nikolaieva. Pinchas Steinberg conducted the production. When the production premiered OperaWire wrote, “Anna {…}
The etymology of the Italian word “maschera” (and its English equivalent “mask”) is rather obscure. It’s derived from the Arabic word “maskara,” meaning buffoonery and/or harsh derision. Indeed, a closer look at “Un ballo in maschera” reveals a higher degree of caustic bite far beyond the final act’s famous masked ball. Amelia seeks help from the soothsayer Ulrica to rid {…}
(Credit: Benjamin Girette/OnP) The Opéra National de Paris is set to present “Un Ballo in Maschera” in cinemas on Feb. 8, 2026. The opera, which will be presented in a production by Gilbert Deflo, will star Anna Netrebko (Amelia), Matthew Polenzani (Riccardo), Ludovic Tézier (Renato), Sara Blanch (Oscar), and Elizabeth DeShong (Ulrica). Speranza Scapucci conducts. The opera will be shown {…}
It is time to wrap up the year and look back at our favorite moments and performers. After releasing our favorite performances of 2025 and showcasing our rising stars of the year, it’s time for OperaWire’s annual tradition of naming our top singers of the year, honoring the opera stars that had major, and in some cases, career-defining, years. So without further ado {…}
The Arena di Verona has announced its 2026 season. The season will open with a new production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Michele Spotti and Francesco Ivan Ciampa conduct the new production starring Martina Russomanno, Gilda Fiume and Rosa Feola. The casts also include Yusif Eyvazov, Galeano Salas, Francesco Meli, René Barbera, Adam Smith, Amartuvshin Enkhbat, Mihai Damian, Youngjun Park, Ludovic {…}
(Photo: Camilla Greenwell) The Puccini opera where he gets the girl. But is she worth having? Is HE? The more I see Puccini’s final opera, “Turandot,” the more I’m left wondering if, had he not expired before its completion, he might have taken a long hard look at it and elected to make some seriously drastic, if not complete, changes. {…}
The Wiener Staatsoper has announced opera that will stream on its platform. The first stream will be Janacek’s “Vec Makropulos” with a cast that includes Marlis Petersen, Pavel Černoch, Lukas Schmidt, Alma Neuhaus, Bo Skovhus, Carlos Osuna, and Wolfgang Bankl. Tomáš Hanus conducts. Streaming Date: Dec. 6, 2025 Franz Welser-Möst conducts Beethoven’s “Fidelio” with Malin Byström, David Butt Philip, Christopher {…}
(Credit: Vladimir Shirokov) Müpa Budapest has announced that Verdi’s “Requiem” will be performed with Anna Netrebko making her role debut. The soprano will return to the hall where she first debuted in 2016 and will be joined by Michelangelo Mazza, conducting the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra and Hungarian Radio Choir. Netrebko will be joined by mezzo Agnieszka Rehlis, tenor Matthew {…}
Anna Netrebko is set to make her role debut as Judith in Béla Bartók’s “Bluebeard’s Castle” on Nov. 30, 2026. The soprano will sing the role alongside bass Alexander Köpeczi, and the Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Henrik Nánási in a concert performance at the Basel Stadtcasino – Musiksaal. The performance, which will also mark the soprano’s {…}
On Jan. 21, 2027, Anna Netrebko will return to Mannheim for an evening of opera arias, duets, and trios. The concert will be held at the Rosengarten, and she is set to be joined by Brian Jagde and George Petean, and the Baden-Baden Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Marco Armiliato. The concert will include works by Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo {…}
